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The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is set to launch in China on December 25, marking the first product from Xiaomi's deeper partnership with Leica. Early teasers show classic black and white finishes and hint at major camera improvements aimed at better night and long-range photography.
Design that puts the camera front and center
At a glance the Xiaomi 17 Ultra stands out with a centered circular camera island and a prominent Leica logo in the middle. The Ultra badge remains on the upper-left of the rear panel, while tactile improvements include separate circular volume keys that are meant to feel more precise under the thumb.
The phone moves to a flat display with large, rounded corners for a cleaner, more modern silhouette. The camera bump is slightly reduced compared with previous models, and Xiaomi has removed the secondary rear screen seen on earlier Ultra editions. Official posters also confirm two colorways at launch: black and white.
Camera hardware that aims to redefine low-light shots
Xiaomi is positioning the 17 Ultra as a next-generation night photography champion. The rear setup combines a 1-inch primary sensor from Omnivision, the OV50X, which uses LOFIC technology to squeeze more dynamic range out of fireworks, city lights and other high-contrast scenes. That larger sensor should translate to cleaner low-light detail and better highlight retention.
But the headline is the new 200MP periscope telephoto module from Samsung, certified with Leica APO optics. This larger tele lens enables continuous optical zoom across a wide range, stronger clarity at distance and improved macro performance. In short: expect better long-range shots without losing sharpness or color fidelity, and more reliable telephoto performance after sundown.
Performance, battery and smart connectivity
Under the hood the Xiaomi 17 Ultra reportedly runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and pairs that silicon with an efficient flat display. Battery capacity may be as large as 6,800mAh, with fast charging rated at 100W wired and 80W wireless — promising quick top-ups during busy days and holidays.
Other modern features include dust and water resistance, ultra-wideband support and satellite connectivity on higher-tier variants. These extras make the device feel like a flagship built for photography, travel and everyday reliability.
Price, availability and what to expect on launch day
With rising component costs, Xiaomi is expected to price the 17 Ultra starting at 6,999 Yuan, roughly equivalent to 999 USD. The early December 25 launch gives buyers a chance to test the camera during the holiday season — and gives Xiaomi a splashy debut for its Leica collaboration.
Is this the phone that finally nails night and telephoto photography? The specs look promising, but we'll need hands-on tests to confirm whether the new sensors, Leica optics and software tuning turn those headline numbers into consistently better photos in the real world.
Source: gizmochina
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